A little reason to celebrate
National Carousel Day
Fun ยท July 25
A day for the carousel, the turning ring of painted horses and band music found in parks, fairs and boardwalks across the country.
National Carousel Day falls on Sunday, July 25, 2027. That is 271 days away.
A carousel is a large rotating platform carrying seats shaped like animals, most often horses, that rise and fall as the whole thing turns. Riders sit, hold the pole, and go in circles to music. That is the entire ride, and it has never needed more.
The horses are the main event. On older machines they were carved from wood and painted by hand, with glass eyes, flowing manes and saddles picked out in gold. The outer row, closest to the crowd, usually gets the most decoration, since that side is the one people see. Some carousels mix in other creatures too, like giraffes, rabbits, sea dragons or a bench for anyone who would rather sit than ride.
Part of the charm is that the ride suits almost every age. Small children ride with a parent standing beside them, older kids race for the tallest horse, and grown adults climb on with only slight embarrassment. The music, often from a band organ or a recording of one, carries across a park long before the carousel comes into view.
Many towns keep a carousel in a city park, a zoo or along a waterfront, and some are cared for by local groups who repaint and repair the figures by hand. A ride rarely costs much. If you go, walk the full circle before choosing a seat, because the horse that looks plain from the gate may be wearing a carved rose on the side facing out.
Ways to celebrate
- Take a ride on a carousel at a nearby park, zoo or fair.
- Walk around a carousel and pick a favorite carved animal.
- Look up whether your town has a historic carousel and visit it.
- Share an old photo of yourself riding a carousel horse.
- Listen to band organ music while you have your morning coffee.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, July 25 |
| 2027 | Sunday, July 25 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, July 25 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, July 25 |
| 2030 | Thursday, July 25 |
Also on July 25
Categories: Fun days